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Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) vit D) is the major circulating source of vitamin D. Deficiency of vitamin D has been proposed as a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke. We aimed to evaluate 25(OH) vit D (ng/mL) serum levels in patients with stroke according to severity and type in a cross-sectional study that out of 143 patients 78 were male and 65 were female. Serum concentration of 25(OH) vit D was measured at baseline by ELISA method. Stroke severity was assessed at admission using the NIHSS score. The mean of 25(OH) vit D serum level in male was 18.14 ng/mL and in female was 28.23 ng/mL. Data showed a significant difference between 25(OH) vit D serum level and sex (P = 0.009). At admission, 106 patients had ischemic stroke and 37 patients had hemorrhagic stroke with the mean of 22.52 and 23.31 ng/mL of 25(OH) vit D, respectively. Data presented no significant differences between 25(OH) vit D serum level and types of stroke. Furthermore, 40 patients (28%) had a minor stroke (0 ≤ NIHSS ≤ 5), 61 patients (42.7%) had a moderate stroke (6 ≤ NIHSS ≤ 14) and 42 patients (29.3%) had a severe stroke (15 ≤ NIHSS ≤ 42), with the mean of 21, 21.8, and 25.6 ng/mL of 25(OH) vit D, respectively. Data showed no significant difference between 25(OH) vit D serum level and severity (P = 0.61). This study showed that low 25(OH) vit D serum level is common in male but there was not any relation between serum level of 25(OH) vit D, type, and severity of stroke.

Introduction: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmented systemic disorder influencing the entire pigmentary system including Cochlear melanocytes and vestibular system in the inner ear. Vitiligo can leads to social negative impact and poorer quality of life among these patients. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between skin involvement severity and hearing loss severity among vitiligo patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 98 patients with vitiligo referred to the dermatology clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan during 2012-2014. Using Vitiligo Area Severity Index (VASI), the skin involvement was evaluated by a dermatologist. Then, patients referred to an otolaryngologist, and after otoscopic examination, they underwent audiometric testing including Audiometry, Tympanometry and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR tests. Patients aged 10-50 years old without any other underlying diseases, and after rule out of other causes of depigmentation and leukoderm were included. Patients with congenital hearing impairment and patients with history of ototoxic drugs intake such as aminoglycosides, vancomycin and thiazide were excluded. Results: No significant association was found between severity of Vitiligo with conductive hearing loss. Vitiligo has not been correlated with sensory neural hearing loss. Also, there was no relationship between the duration of clinical manifestations of vitiligo with conductive and sensory neural hearing loss. Conclusions: Our finding showed that there was no relationship between skin involvement severity and hearing loss severity in vitiligo patients. In addition, no relationship was found between the conductive and sensory neural hearing losses with the incidence duration of clinical manifestation and extent of skin involvement of vitiligo.

History and objectives: Over weightiness and obesity are usually defined as inflammatory conditions. High ratio of body mass index and Visfatin level recently discovered as markers involved in inflammatory process of obesity. Aerobic exercise is one of the safe interventions to decrease such condition. The purpose of this research was to compare the effect of interval versus continuous aerobic exercise on Visfatin and BMI of sedentary overweight female college students. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six healthy sedentary overweight female college students with BMI over 25 or more were randomly assigned into three groups including continuous, interval aerobic exercise and control conditions for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Serum visfatin level was assessed before and after the exercise protocol. The exercise protocol included running a distance of 1200 meters continuously or with rest intervals at 60 to 75 percent of reserved heart rate in the first week that gradually increased by 400 meters on every subsequent week. Results: Our study indicated that both aerobic exercise conditions significantly decrease the serum level of visfatin (P = 0.000, P = 0.025, respectively). Both exercise groups also showed a decrease in BMI compared to the control group (P = 0.006, P = 0.004). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise has a beneficiary effect on both serum visfatin level and BMI variables involved in inflammation process of obesity regardless of being performed with rest interval or continuously.

Objectives: The aim of this research was to determine the effect of two months of intermittent aerobic exercise on cortisol and testosterone hormones. Methods: Twenty healthy sedentary volunteer male subjects (age: 22.2 ± 3.2; height: 174.5 ± 4.6 cm) participated in this research. They were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control conditions. Fasting blood sample was drawn prior to the start of the exercise program from both groups. The experimental group participated in 8 consecutive weeks of intermittent aerobic exercise running 4 distances of 200 meter with rest interval between each run. The running distance increased 400 meter weekly. At the end of the program, fasting blood samples was obtained to measure the testosterone and cortisol hormone. Results: The results of analysis indicated that no significant changes occurred in the mean value of serum testosterone of both groups in the experimental and control group (P > 0.05). However, the exercise condition caused a significant change in the mean value of serum cortisol in the exercising group (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: The significant change in cortisol was associated with significant weight loss in the exercise group suggesting that this condition caused inflammation in addition to the fat catabolism in the exercised group.

Background: Postural deformities are disabling complications emerging at the early years of life. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to study the frequency of scoliosis condition in guidance schools of the city of Kashan and compare their anthropometric characteristics with the normal counterparts. Methods: This was cross-sectional study including 604 females at guidance-school to determine the frequency of scoliosis in the city of Kashan. Adam's forward bend test was employed to identify the cases of disorder. Descriptive statistics and Independent t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: The result of examining 604 guidance school females showed that 108 (17.9%) female students had scoliosis deformity and 496 (82.1%) were normal. The result suggested that there was a significant difference between the height, weight, waist, waist/hip ratio (WHR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) of normal females compared to the scoliotic female student (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that a considerable proportion of females were suffering from scoliosis deformity and their anthropometric factors were in poorer condition compared to normal individuals. Therefore, early identification of scoliosis may significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation.

One of the major traumas referring to the treatment centers are motor cycle riders. The purpose of this research was to describe characteristics of motor cycle traumas in the city of Kashan in year 2004. This descriptive retrospective research was conducted by referring to the data bank of Trauma Research Center of Kashan University of Medical Sciences and Health and Treatment Services. Statistical analysis was performed on data to extract the motor cycle accidents cases from the other existing records and analyzed by using SPSS:Pc 16.0. The result of analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between the proportions of injuries for the age groups (p=0.000). In addition, a significantly higher proportion of the injured cases had elementary education level. It was concluded that motor cycle accidents are more apprehensive than other types of traffic accidents so further studies are needed to identify different aspects of the event and overcome its mortality and morbidity.

In this study we investigated the effects of physical and mental practice in acquisition, retention, and transfer of a motor skill in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). For this reason, 29 males diagnosed with CP type I (18.51 ± 5.03 years of age) were chosen and, according to a pretest, were assigned to three homogenous groups; physical practice (n = 10), mental practice (n = 10), and control (n = 9). The experimental groups practiced for 5 sessions (6 blocks of 5 trials in each session). The acquisition test was run immediately at the end of each practice session and the retention and transfer tests were run approximately 48 h following the acquisition phase. Analyses of variance with repeated measures and post hoc tests suggest individuals with CP have the ability to acquire and retain a new motor skill with either physical or mental practice. This finding replicates studies involving typically developing individuals and extends previous research by demonstrating the benefits of mental practice for people with CP. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed.

Objective To help health authorities in adopting the ways to control pollution in the Kashan city and improve public health. Methods In descriptive epidemiologic research, 2 151 students were examined in 23 male and female schools. Their hair was examined for head louse infestation. Demographic data and related information were obtained by interview and observation. The data were recorded in the standard questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS statistical software by using Chi -square and fisher's exact tests. Results The prevalence of head louse infestation in students was 0.70%. This survey showed that 0.75% and 0.60% of the students in female and male schools were infected to head louse respectively. Statistical tests showed significant relation between pediculosis and, father's and mother's job, father's and mother's education, previous history of infection, itchy scalp and school health teachers ( P Conclusions The study indicated that the prevalence of pediculosis wasn't a major concern and health priority in Kashan's schools (2013). However, it was suggested that individual hygiene should be considered as a priority in the city to prevent the increase of infestation incidence, and also measures should be taken to increase the level of knowledge of individuals within the city.

Background: New pieces of evidence show that the leptin released from adipose tissue is associated with obesity; however, leptin response to different types of exercise programs in humans is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic versus resistance training on serum leptin and insulin resistance in sedentary men. Methods: Thirty male volunteers with a mean age of 23.2 ± 1.23 years, body mass index (BMI) 23.9 ± 0.95 kg.m-2, fat percent 18.28 ± 1.15, and waist-to-hip ratio 0.89 ± 0.02 were randomly assigned into three groups, including aerobic, resistance exercise, and control groups (n = 10). The resistance exercise program was performed for 60 minutes at 70% of one repetition maximum for 3 sets. Every set consisted of 10 repetitions per move (RPM) followed by a 30-second-rest interval between every station accompanied by a 2-minute-rest between every set. The aerobic exercise program consisted of running on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 60 to 70 percent of reserved heart rate (maximum heart rate-heart rate rest). Fasting blood samples were collected before and after 6 weeks after the termination of the exercise protocol in order to determine the plasma leptin level and insulin resistance. Results: The results of one-way ANOVA showed that body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly decreased in both experimental groups and maximum aerobic power and one repetition maximum of bench press plus leg press were significantly increased (P < 0.05). In addition, insulin resistance levels were significantly decreased in both exercises groups compared with the control group. However, the leptin level was significantly decreased in the aerobic exercise group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to these findings, both aerobic and resistance training without changes in body weight and body mass index appear to be a non-prescriptive therapeutic approach to lower the insulin levels and insulin resistance in sedentary men. However, aerobic versus resistance training may play a role in regulating systemic leptin.

Evaluation of students' academic achievement is an unavoidable task for all faculty members of universities. The majority of academic institutions use multiple choice exams to evaluate their students. The question items that make up these exams need to possess certain psychometric properties to measure the student achievements. The purpose of this research was to examine the item properties of multiple choice exams used in the college of health of Kashan University of Medical Sciences. In this cross sectional descriptive study, a number of multiple choice exams used by the instructors were randomly selected. The difficulty index, discrimination index, and Cronbach alpha was calculated for every exam by using LERTAP 5.0 software prepared by the Assessment Systems Corporation of the United States to perform an item analysis. A total of 1343 multiple choice question items presented to the students at the college of health for evaluating 37 different subjects was analyzed. The results of analysis showed that the mean values of difficulty index and discriminating index were0.68 and 0.20, respectively. The average value of difficulty )0.68( and discrimination index )0.21( were relatively within the recommended values. However, some of the tests had value less than the recommended range and need careful reexamination. It was concluded that a feedback delivered to the instructors may improve these indexes. Further research is needed to examine this subject.

Article history: Objective: To investigate the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in important endemic focus of Kashan district, central of Iran during 2007-2008. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and 5 098 individuals were selected from thirteen rural and urban districts of Kashan city. Information of positive cases including age, sex, job, number and sites of ulcers or scars, date and place of the ulcer, and results of clinical examination and laboratory tests were recorded. Diagnoses of affected cases were based on clinical examination and microscopic observation of the ulcer parasite. The results were analyzed with statistical Chi-square test. Results: An infection prevalence rate of 6.4% was obtained among 5 098 individuals. Regarding to 326 affected cases, 103 (2.0%) and 223 (4.4%) persons were observed with active lesion and scars, respectively. The highest frequency of active ulcer rate (23.3%) was associated with age group of 20-29 years old, while the lowest rate was related to age group of 0-9 years old with 7.8% infection. About 49.5% of the infected cases were under 30 years old. This study showed 64.1% of cases with one and the rest of them with two or more ulcers. Hands (46.6%) were the most affected parts of body. Conclusions: There is a progressive increasing of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kashan district and this is a warning to local health workers to provide prevention as well as control program of the disease.

INTRODUCTION: Postural deformities are commonly acquired disorders that occur throughout the life. The purpose of this research was to determine and compare the frequency of scoliosis disorder and anthropometric characteristics of normal versus the disordered Students.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that was performed on 1416 girls and boys of elementary school students in the city of Kashan in education year 2010-2011. Adams bending test was employed to examine 1416 students to identify the disorder. Seca scale was employed to measure weight and inflexible tape was used to measure the height of students. SPSS software was employed to analyze the data. RESULTS: The result of analysis showed that 63.8 percent of students were boys and 36.2 percent were girls. The frequency of scoliosis in boys and girls was 29.8 and 24.2 percent, respectively. Independent t-test result showed that there was a significant difference between the height and weight of normal versus the scoliosis identified boys and girls student (P=0.004, 0.031; 0.0001, 0.041).CONCLUSION: These types of studies are conducted regularly to identify poor postural cases at an early stage. The identification of acquired deformities at an early stage is important since it provides the opportunity to take the appropriate measures to correct them. Early identification of scoliosis is vital to maximize effectiveness of treatment.

Background: Trauma is an inescapable part of sports competitions. It occurs more frequently in contact sports such as wrestling. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of injury in GrecoRoman style wrestling competitions at national level. Patients and Methods: This descriptive epidemiological research included 50 GrecoRoman style wrestlers who participated in national level competitions between the years 2003 and 2008. A questionnaire was completed by each participant, itincluded; the number of injuries to skin, muscle tissue, bones and joints. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated by a test – retest method (r = 0.83, P = 0.0001). Results: The most frequent injuries encountered by the wrestlers were; skin lesions (62%), followed by muscle (22%), bone (9%) and joint (7%) injuries, respectively. Conclusions: Greco-Roman style wrestlers are at high risk of skin injuries.Therefore, they need appropriate instructions on how to avoid injuries and adequate care after their competitions.

Objective: To determine the prevalence rate of head louse infestation among elementary students, and examine the associated factors with infection in the city of Aran and Bidgol. Methods: A total of 19 boys’ and girls’ primary schools were selected by multistage, systematic random sampling. Overall, 3 590 students were examined for head lice infestation in urban areas of Aran and Bidgol during 2008. The diagnosis was based on live louse or nit on the scalp of students. The students were screened by standard questionnaire and demographic data in addition to related information were obtained by interview and observation. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The mean age of students was (8.68依1.58) years ranging between 6-12 years. The total prevalence of head louse infestation was 0.47%. This rate was 0.42% and 0.05% in female and male, respectively. There was a significant association between pediculosis and sex, father’s job, mother’s education, access to bathroom in home, prior infection, drug use and nationality, respectively (P

Context: Infectious diseases including HIV and viral hepatitis constitute a major health issue, with high prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs). Aims: The present study assessed the frequency of HIV, and hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) among 200 IDUs, hospitalized between 2001 and 2006, in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan, Iran. Setting and Design: A population-based cross-sectional study in Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 subjects participated in this study. Serological markers including HBsAg, anti-HCV antibodies and HIV were assessed by ELISA method using Monobid kits made in US. Demographic data was collected by using a questionnaire, which was designed by a researcher. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequencies were determined by employing SPSS:PC version 15.0, and Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare proportions. Results: The mean age of subjects was 36.5 ± 10.2 years. Approximately 88.5% (177 cases) were male and 11.5%. (23 cases) were female. The frequency of positive infection test results for males with respect to HBV, HCV, and HIV was 4% (8 cases), 10.5% (21 cases), and 1.5% (3 cases); and for females it was 0.5% (1 case), 1.5% (3 cases), and 0% (0 case), respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV infection in the IVD user in Kashan, Iran, is relatively high and this condition is more serious in male than female drug addicts. It is very important, especially for health providers and policy makers, to recognize the risk factors of HBV, HCV and particularly HIV infection in this area and design effective preventive programs.

INTRODUCTION: Hopefulness is one of the most significant predictors of adaptation in hemodialysis patients, and plays a vital role in the recovery process. In contrast to hopefulness, depression is a frequent psychological reaction of the hemodialysis treatment with many negative consequences. The current research was designed to examine the effect of cognitive-existential treatment on the level of hopefulness and depression in hemodialysis patients.MATERIALS & METHODS: This quasi-experimental research included 22 female patients suffering from chronic kidney failure disease undergoing hemodialysis treatment for at least 3 months. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control conditions. The experimental group received a combination of treatment including some elements of "existentialism" philosophy and a "cognitive" approach designed for the Iranian population. The treatment protocol lasted for 12 sessions of 90 minutes twice per week prior to the entry of the patient to the dialysis session. Miller’s hope scale and BDI-II-21 were employed to collect the data. Statistical analysis was performed on the data using analysis of covariance by SPSS: 16 software.RESULTS: The result of the analysis indicated that there was a significant improvement in hopefulness level and decrease in depression of the patients in the experiment condition (PCONCLUSION: The result of analysis showed that cognitive-existential treatment resulted in the increase of hopefulness and decrease level of depression in the hemodialysis patients suffering from chronic kidney failure.

History and objective: Participation in sport competitions such as Olympiads may be associated with sport injuries Many factors including the anthropometric conditions may lead to the incidence of injury. The purpose of this research was to examine the association between the body mass index and the incident of sport injuries among the girl students participating in the sport Olympiads held in 2009 in the city of Yazd. Material and methods: In this research, the BMI of the injured and non injured girl athletes were compared. The data was collected using the injury recording form. Weight and height of the athletes as well as data related to the incidence of the injury were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed on data using the SPSS: pc version 16. Results: The results of the analysis showed that 37 injuries occurred. The result of the analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the BMI of the injured and non-injured athletes (p